Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-28
CATS ON THE BRIDGE.
\ Reporters story of Feline MiSra-
tiOns.


SDgrirl Correspondence Of Hc Register
NEW YORK, May 25.-lt is estimated
but estimates are not always trustworthy
that something like 10 per cent OF the
population of New York and Brooklyn
moves on or about the first OF May. There
are certain aspects of this annual hegira
that have never attracted attention. 1t
has for a long time been known to obServ-
ers of the domestic cat that for short
time after the first OF every month there IL
a marked increase in the number of pred
atory cats in the metropolitan precincts.
IL is well understood by the So"iety for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that
tins is due to the homing instinct of the
eat.
REPORTERS are good aud virtuous, not to
shy truthful, but they cannot all OF them
strictly observe the old time rule about
Going TO bed. The properly constituted
renorter. however, ut least until the grind
I'M, wears have totally eliminated all ath-
Iatic propenSities, likes To steady his nerves
after his night work by q walk in the fresh
mir before turning in. To that end the
present writer frequently trampS across the
nridrc some time between II o'clock md
NIGHT and = in the morning. During these
hours the foot way of the bridge Is well
NIGH deserted. save for the policeman on
dnty. and under the electric lights every
mnyinr thing is distinctly visible.
n was on a night early in May that the
incidents occurred which are ahont 10 De
rccounted.
The station masters clock on the New
York side marked l:!:25 u. ~, and the
moon. thr,e-quartrrS full, WIS still high
IN the west. What with this and electric
Iiuhts the roadways and platforms were
br,,,btly Illuminated. A. the reporter
st,nped ont from in under the passenger
bouss ne WAS aware of one or two silent
forms fitting past him under the shadow
~ tine side walls. These forms were cats.
Eut cats are everywhere, and the news
napcr man thought nothing OF IT. When
however. he reached the open to0twalk he
v,,s surprised To see more dark objects
sr,ttrrrd mt REGULAR intervals along the
,,sntIr incline that led tn the first Hight
of steps. These objects seemed lor
! the most part to prefer the side
or the foOtway aS close 10 the railway ~
pns,ihle, hut they made erratic excursions
| to and fro in the moonlight as the passing
cable trains heightened them from one side
IN the other. The reporter il strictly
trmneranre man, hut be admits that he
u.,s a tritIe disturbed when, after rubbing
! his ewes and winking a few times, ms VI
sion still represented the bridge rs pcopted
with silent, earnest cats, powerful eats, cats
! rb,t would not turn back for any TRIVIAL
p,idniobt wayilrer like himself, hut ever
messed on toward the New York side oi
/ the river.
Tuning to watch an unusually large
Tim which. with tail erect and eyes oI
rrr,n fire. had Just passed, the reporter
was somewhat appalled, ut binding he was
followed by quite y little pack-li that M
the proper term for such IN aggregation
of eats, with their faces turned toward
Brooklyn. lie had manitestly acted rs :
snrt ot leader to the eastward bound pro-
crSsion. Stepping considerably to one
side the pilgrim stood mOtionlesS. Tht
hiu Tom looked neither to the right mol
Ieif though one or two light minded tab
Ibies made audibly admiring remarks, but
proceeded with dignity on his way. Attel
= moments pause the pack hurried pas,
with a patter OF velvety feet, and the long
Struggling procession went on anu w&
som lost between the perspective of elec
trio lights. Id.
A. the pier was the policeman on duty
leopipr against the railing lie was al
old acquaintance. The reporter entered
into conversation, and, after lew general
Iities, remarked in casual way that i
seemed 10 be q good night for cats.
yes, - was the reply. I've been her,
ever since the bridge was opened, ana
never saw so many. The moon makes
bi, difference. When she fullS' aboa
the 2nd or Sd of May it sends 'em home IL
shoals"
''How's that?'
well. YOU see they don't seem to &c
their bearings of dark night, or mayn
they don't show up so plain.
.iDoes this hspSen every moonllgh
night?" oa.u. ,o ,r,,
moving. You see most every lamliy tna
moves across the river has cat ana take
IL along, and if the moon falls wltnln da.
or two afterwards she gets her bearing
and lights ont for the old home. Cats I
mighty queer, and if they can get thei
bearings away they go. -,
And YOU think all these cats are oouh'
for the places they came frOm?"
uOr course. Why last year | move'
from Sixty-third street in New York to
Mace in BROOKLYN, and my old woman sh
mnst have the eat 90 too. told her
was no good taking her, but You know nov
q woman is. Well, three nights alter
was on duty, and who should come alon
bnt onr old tab and her young kitten
We'd left her one out of her litter.
spoke to her, but 'twan't no good sh